The largest UAE and Gulf carriers have been preparing accordingly ahead of the heavy increase in demand over the build-up and during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Private jet operators are no exception.
UAE and Gulf Carriers Gearing up for the World Cup
Dubai-based private jet operator Jetex has shared that it expects to fly an additional 2,500 flights to and from Doha, Qatar, during the 22nd running of the FIFA World Cup competition. Jetex is therefore preparing accordingly to cope, and benefit, from the increase in demand.
Adel Mardini, CEO of Jetex, commented on the increased levels of inquiries and interest they’ve been receiving:
“We are receiving a lot of inquiries and many will make Dubai or Abu Dhabi their base during these two months.”
Jetex isn’t the only private jet operator gearing up for the major football tournament.
DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) is a German-based business jet operator with a privately owned UAE business conglomerate headquartered in Dubai. DCAF is boosting its capacity in order to meet the expected surge in demand.
Managing Director Holger Ostheimer said:
“We experience a continuous level of enquiries for travel from Dubai to Doha. DCAF will be making available capacities on different sizes of aircraft, from small business jets with 4-6 seats for more cost-conscious clientele, as well as in the large business jet category with 12-16 numbers of seats.”
Overall, Ostheimer said that charter demand has been strong due to the strong recovery of air travel and leisure traffic returning as a result.
Preparation is key
It’s unsurprising that transport into and around the city of Doha has been faced with an overwhelming rise in travellers booking in.
The international football tournament is, arguably, the most anticipated sporting event on the calendar. Hosted every four years, the tournament brings football fans across the globe together, each of them hoping that this is the year their country will bring home the Jules Rimet Trophy.
This year, the tournament is expected to attract more than 1.2 million fans, and due to the lack of accommodation in Doha, the majority of international fans will be staying in the UAE and flying into Doha for the matches. UAE regional airlines have also had to prepare to cope with this.
Air Arabia is planning to fly an additional 14 shuttle flights a day from Sharjah to Doha. Etihad Airways will be operating 42 weekly flights during the event compared to the usual 18 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Doha currently. Low-cost carrier flydubai will be making the largest changes, offering approximately 60 daily shuttle flights.
Will you be flying to Doha or the UAE this winter for the World Cup? Comment below to share your thoughts with us.
